It’s been seven years since the announcement of The Elder Scrolls 6, the next major installment in the Elder Scrolls universe from Bethesda Game Studios. Details about the game have been infamously sparse, and players have more or less put it in the back of their minds until a more definitive timeline for release becomes clearer.

The wait will not be over anytime soon, according to Elder Scrolls 6 director Todd Howard, who stated in an interview with GQ Magazine that the game is “still a long way off.” This will not come as a huge surprise, though players will likely appreciate the honesty as opposed to being stuck in another GTA 6-type situation and being disappointed by constant delays.

The Timeline For Elder Scrolls 6 Is Completely Up In The Air

The Elder Scrolls 6 is easily the most anticipated Bethesda project in development, though mum’s the word on any specifics related to gameplay, story, mechanics, etc. Despite being so highly awaited, fans have been reluctant to get too excited until a more concrete release window is announced, or more gameplay footage is released. Information about the project is few and far between, so the update from Todd Howard is a rare one, albeit somewhat unsurprising.

Todd Howard is quick to avoid starting a hype train around The Elder Scrolls 6 before it’s anywhere close to ready, an approach that many GTA 6 fans probably wish Rockstar Games had taken to avoid continuous delays and disappointments. Howard says he is “preaching patience” and doesn’t “want fans to feel anxious” over the release window of The Elder Scrolls 6.

Howard’s The Elder Scrolls 6 Posture Is A Refreshing One

While Todd Howard’s comments on The Elder Scrolls 6 aren’t all that exciting or surprising, they are a breath of fresh air after the delay of GTA 6 last week. Despite being quite different games, they’re both likely to be among the biggest video game launches of all time. Looking at the conversation around both games at the current moment, however, sentiment toward Rockstar Games and Take-Two for GTA 6 is at an all-time low, with players feeling incredibly disheartened after the most recent delay.

Howard and Bethesda are clearly trying to avoid a similar situation with The Elder Scrolls 6, and I’d argue the lack of information is better than the carrot-and-stick approach that GTA 6 is taking. Howard’s strategy here is one of honesty, and he’s rightfully reluctant to release any hints about the game’s progress to avoid getting players excited unnecessarily only to be let down a few months later.

Overall, no news is good news when it comes to The Elder Scrolls 6. While it would be awesome to see some gameplay footage or even get a new trailer for the game, it’s clear that Bethesda would rather hold off on any sort of reveals until they’re absolutely certain they can deliver on expectations.